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Home My WebLink About2004-04-28 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING CITY HALL CHAMBERS WEDNESDAY APRIL 28, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the regular meeting of the City Commission to order at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 in Chambers at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts. ABSENT: Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Karen L. Roberts led the pledge of allegiance. INTRODUCTION 1. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS: a. Proclamation by Mayor Schreiber proclaiming May 2-8, 2004 as "Municipal Clerks' Week" in the City of Tamarac. City Clerk Swenson accepted and said it is a pleasure working for the City of Tamarac. b. Proclamation by Mayor Schreiber proclaiming May 2-8, 2004 as "National Drinking Water Week" in the City of Tamarac. Utilities Director Gagnon and Water Plant Superintendent Harvey accepted. Water Plant Superintendent Harvey extended an invitation to the Mayor, City Commission, staff and residents to a Utilities Department open house scheduled for May 5, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m. C. Presentation by Coca-Cola of this year's sponsorship check in the amount of $5,000.00. Steve Deckert of Coca Cola presented the check and called Angela Hopkinson to the podium. Ms. Hopkinson thanked the City of Tamarac for allowing Coca Cola to represent events and said they look forward to future initiatives. REPORTS 2. City Commission: Mayor Schreiber had no report. Commissioner Portner said he received an e-mail from Representative Stacy Ritter informing him of the award of $750,000 from the State for stormwater. Commissioner Portner distributed and asked to be included into the record, a report from James April 28, 2004 1 Brooks of the World Organization for Trade (attached and incorporated as part of these minutes). Commissioner Roberts thanked everyone for contributing to the food drive for Family Central and announced the food drive ends today. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco had no report. 3. City Attorney: City Attorney Kraft had no report. 4. City Manager: The City Clerk's office reports that voters from Precinct 21 J which is in District 2 of Tamarac will vote at the new Tamarac Fire Station located at 6000 Hiatus Road. This is a permanent change to take effect with the next election. The Finance Department reports on the closing of $9.5 million in capital improvement bonds, in which the City received favorable interest rates and bond ratings. The funds will be used for stormwater and wastewater utility infrastructure projects. Congratulations go to Purchasing Manager Steve Beamsderfer who was recently awarded the CPM Certification, which is most prestigious. Assistant Fire Chief Forsberg is in Emmetsburg, MD reviewing applications for the FEMA Grant Program. The Smoke Detector Program continues and will be at Mainlands 16 and Greenbriar on May 15t" CERT members will participate in a disaster drill in Homestead on May 15t, and they will also assist in the Air and Sea Show on May 2"d. Parks and Recreation reports that the Tamarac Veterans Affairs Committee will host the 5t" annual Veterans Assembly tonight at the Tamarac Community Center from 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. The event is free to Veterans and their spouses. Information for Challenge Day, which will be held on May 26, can be gotten at the Tamarac Community Center. Public Works advised that Tamarac has been named 2003 Tree City U.S.A. by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This is the 12t" year that Tamarac has been named Tree City. City Manager Miller reported that he was informed last evening by both Lobbyist Ron Book and Representative Stacy Ritter of the $750,000 grant funding secured for Tamarac. City Manager Miller congratulated Ron Book, Stacy Ritter, elected officials and staff who helped with this project. 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Odiel Feyers, 7421 NW 70 Avenue, Tamarac, asked for assistance in slowing traffic on 70t" Avenue until the traffic calming project is completed. Mr. Feyers congratulated Commissioner Partner for his efforts on behalf of proper methods of displaying the flag. CONSENT AGENDA 6. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco seconded by Commissioner Portner moved to pull Item 6(f), Temporary Resolution 10414 off the consent agenda and place it on the regular agenda as Item No. 13. Item 6(f). NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT: (TR10414) Naming the Gateway Park Project, which will be constructed at the southwest corner of McNab Road and Pine Island Road, Tamarac, " ". On roll call Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco voted "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", Commissioner Roberts "yes", and Commissioner Portner "yes". Motion carried. April 28, 2004 2 Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved to pull Item 6(o) off the consent agenda and table Item 6(o) to the May 12, 2004 regular city commission meeting, at or after 7:00 p.m. Item 6(o). AGREEMENT -- NATIONAL AUCTION COMPANY, INC.: (TR10419) Declaring certain equipment and material as surplus and directing that certain computer equipment be disposed via sale through established internet markets, providing that a public auction be held; offering the public the opportunity to inspect all other items available for disposal prior to the auction; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to enter into an agreement with National Auction Co., Inc. to conduct the public auction and for disposing of any unsold items having no cash value, utilizing Broward County Bid #J-1 03 007 B1 for auctioneering services, for a commission rate of 1.625% of the auction proceeds, plus reimbursement of out of pocket expenses for advertising and promotion in an amount not to exceed $3,200, all of which shall be deducted from the gross sales auction proceeds; placing all proceeds into the appropriate fund from which the assets were originally purchased. On roll call Mayor Schreiber voted "yes", Commissioner Roberts "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval of all items on the consent agenda except item 6(f) which was moved to the regular agenda as Item #13 and item 6(o) which was tabled to May 12, 2004. On roll call Commissioner Roberts voted "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried. a. APPROVE the minutes of the April 14, 2004 Regular City Commission meeting. APPROVED b. FY03 WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM ANNUAL REPORT: (TR10384) Receiving the Fiscal Year 2003 City of Tamarac Water and Wastewater Systems Annual Report prepared by the City's Consulting Engineers, Mathews Consulting, Inc., on behalf of the City of Tamarac Utilities Department as required by Bond Covenants for Continuing Disclosure for the Taxable Water and Sewer Utility Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 1996 and Refunding Bonds Series 1992. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-78 G. TAMARAC DRAINAGE EASEMENT — WOODLANDS SECTION SEVEN DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS: (TR10400) Executing a "Tamarac Drainage Easement" with The Woodlands Section Seven Association, Inc., for the Woodlands Section Seven Drainage Improvements, to allow legal access by City Personnel for installing, maintaining, operating, and altering of surface water storm drainage improvements; authorizing and directing the City Clerk to record said agreement in the public records of Broward County. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-79 d. AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT — ZAMBELLI INTERNATIONALE FIREWORKS MANUFACTURING_ COMPANY, INC.: (TR10406) Executing an amendment to the agreement between the City of Tamarac and Zambelli Internationale Fireworks Manufacturing Company, Inc., exercising the option to renew for the 2004 fireworks at a cost of 125,000.00, RESOLUTION NO. R2004-80 April 28, 2004 3 e. NAMING MCNAB PARK PROJECT: (TR10413) Naming the newly constructed McNab Park Project, located at 11000 West McNab Road, Tamarac, "Sunset Point". RESOLUTION NO. R2004-81 f. NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT: (TR10414) Naming the Gateway Park Project, which will be constructed at the southwest corner of McNab Road and Pine Island Road, Tamarac, PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA TO REGULAR AGENDA AS ITEM 13 g. AGREEMENT RENEWAL -- KIRKPATRICK PETTIS_CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.: (TR10412) Exercising the first renewal option to the existing agreement between the City of Tamarac and Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management, Inc., for Investment Advisory Services for a one-year period effective April 14, 2004 through April 13, 2005. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-82 h. CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 — PHASE 5A ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM: (TR10411) Executing Change Order Number 1 to the agreement with Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. for Phase 5A of the Seven Year Comprehensive Street Improvement Program; authorizing an additional expenditure in an amount not to exceed $128,138.36. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-83 i. RENEWAL ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES: (TR10415) Renewing and executing the first addendum to the agreement between the City of Tamarac and Onesource Facility Services, Inc. for provision of janitorial services; authorizing a revised annual expenditure in an amount not to exceed $144,480. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-84 j. BUDGET AMENDMENT: (TR10397) Amending the expenditure budget for the Fiscal Year 2004; amending the budget of estimated revenues for the Fiscal Year 2004. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-85 k. WATER AND SEWER DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT — HAMPTON HILLS: (TR10405) Executing a Water and Sewer Developer's Agreement with Centex Homes for the Hampton Hills Project, located at the intersection of NW 58th Street and NW 91" Avenue, requiring 479.70 ERC's for water and 479.70 ERC's for sewer; requiring the payment of $1,535,040.00 in CIAC fees; authorizing and directing the City Clerk to record said agreement in the public records of Broward County, RESOLUTION NO. R2004-86 I. BID AWARD AND AGREEMENT — PUMP STATIONS 7 7A AND 10 REHABILITATION PROJECT: (TR10409) Awarding Bid No. 04-13B to Cooper Contracting, Inc., and executing an agreement between the City of Tamarac and Cooper Contracting, Inc., for an amount of $389,417.00 for the Pump Stations 7, 7A, and 10 Rehabilitation Project; approving funding for this project from the appropriate Utilities Operational and CIAC accounts; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the contract. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-87 M. AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF TAMARAC AND WHARTON-SMITH INC. FOR STORMWATER PUMP STATION REHABILITATION CONSTRUCTION: April 28, 2004 4 (TR10416) Awarding Bid No. 04-05B for the stormwater pump station rehabilitation construction to Wharton -Smith, Inc.; authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute an agreement with Wharton -Smith, Inc. for said work; authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $4,832,000.00; authorizing the City Manager to make necessary additions, deletions or revisions to the work plan pursuant to Section 6-156 of the Code of the City of Tamarac. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-88 n. AGREEMENT -- CRAIG A. SMITH & ASSOCIATES — PHASE II STORMWATER PUMP STATION REHABILITATION PROJECT: (TR10422) Executing an agreement with Craig A. Smith & Associates for Phase II of Stormwater Pump Station Rehabilitation Project to provide construction engineering services; authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $101,600.00. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-89 o. AGREEMENT — NATIONAL AUCTION COMPANY INC.: (TR10419) Declaring certain equipment and material as surplus and directing that certain computer equipment be disposed via sale through established internet markets, providing that a public auction be held; offering the public the opportunity to inspect all other items available for disposal prior to the auction; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to enter into an agreement with National Auction Co., Inc. to conduct the public auction and for disposing of any unsold items having no cash value, utilizing Broward County Bid #J-1 03 007 B1 for auctioneering services, for a commission rate of 1.625% of the auction proceeds, plus reimbursement of out of pocket expenses for advertising and promotion in an amount not to exceed $3,200, all of which shall be deducted from the gross sales auction proceeds; placing all proceeds into the appropriate fund from which the assets were originally purchased. PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA AND TABLED TO MAY 12, 2004 REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AT OR AFTER 7:00 P.M. P. APPLICATION SUBMISSION — FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MEDIAN BEAUTIFICATION ON NOB HILL ROAD: (TR10420) Seeking Federal Surface Transportation Program funds via an application through the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Florida Department of Transportation in the amount of $240,000 for median enhancement along Nab Hill Road between Southgate Boulevard and Westwood Drive; authorizing a 10% match upon approval of the application. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-90 q. APPLICATION SUBMISSION FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR SIDEWALK INSTALLATIONS: (TR10421) Seeking Federal Surface Transportation Program funds via an application through the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Florida Department of Transportation in the amount of $130,000 for sidewalk installation along Pine Island Road between 67th Court and 62"d Street and Woodlands Boulevard between 59th Street and Commercial Boulevard; authorizing a 10% match upon approval of the application. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-91 r. FUNDING AGREEMENT — TRANSAMERICA OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY C/O AEGON INSTITUTIONAL MARKETS, INC: (TR10407) April 28, 2004 5 Accepting a funding agreement from Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company c/o Aegon Institutional Markets, Inc., (AEGON) for the proceeds and other moneys related to the projects funded by the Capital Improvement Revenue Bond Series 2004; authorizing the appropriate officials to execute an acknowledgement of a funding agreement; authorizing the appropriate officials to apply any non -substantive changes to said agreement and acknowledgement. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-92 S. DEBT SERVICE FORWARD DELIVERY AGREEMENT: (TR10423) Executing a Debt Service Forward Delivery Agreement between the City of Tamarac and Wachovia Bank, N.A., for the payment of debt service on all outstanding revenue bond issues; authorizing the appropriate officials to apply any non -substantive changes to said agreement. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-93 END OF CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARINGS 9:00 A.M. OR THEREAFTER QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS 7. AMENDING PRIOR ZONING — BRUCE PLAT: (T02043) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second reading amending prior zoning of certain real estate property (aka: Bruce Plat) from B-2 (Community Business District) to R-4A (Planned Apartment Residential District) lands commonly known as a portion of Parcel "A" of the "Bruce Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 135, Page 11 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, located 120 feet south of the southeast corner of North University Drive and NW 64t" Street (Case No. 2-Z-04); providing for amendment of the official zoning map to reflect such change. APPROVED ON FIRST READING APRIL 14, 2004. City Attorney Kraft said Items 7, 8, 9, and 10 are companion items and can be heard together but voted on separately. City Attorney Kraft read Item 7, Temporary Ordinance 2043, Revision #1, by title on second reading. Commissioner Portner seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval. 8. DELEGATION REQUEST TO AMEND NOTES ON _BRUCE PLAT: (TR10408) Motion to approve Resolution approving a Delegation Request to amend the notes on the "Bruce Plat" which currently restrict Parcel "A" to 100,000 square feet of commercial use and Parcel "B" to landscape buffer, in order to accommodate the future development of one -hundred (100) residential town home units and a park on the subject property, specifically Parcels "A" and "B" of the "Bruce Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 135, Page 11 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, located at the southeast corner of North University Drive and NW 64t" Street (Case No. 7-P-04). City Attorney Kraft read Item 8, Temporary Resolution 10408 by title. Commissioner Portner seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval. 9. SPECIAL EXCEPTION -- UNIVERSITY LANDINGS: (TR10403) Motion to approve Resolution granting a Special Exception to allow the construction of more than one (1) principal building on the subject property in an R-4A (Planned Apartment April 28, 2004 6 Residential District) zoning category to University Landings, located 120 feet south of the southeast corner of University Drive and NW 641h Street, specifically a portion of Parcel "A" of the "Bruce Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 135, Page 11 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida (Case No. 1-Z-04); providing for conditions of approval. City Attorney Kraft read Item 9, Temporary Resolution 10403 by title. Commissioner Portner seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval. 10. REVISED DEVELOPMENT ORDER AND NEW DEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN -- UNIVERSITY LANDINGS: (TR10404) Motion to approve Resolution issuing Revised Development Order No. 192.3 and granting New Development Site Plan approval to University Landings to allow the construction of a one -hundred (100) unit town home development with pool, cabana, associated parking, landscaping and infrastructure improvements, and a park, located at the southeast corner of University Drive and NW 64th Street, specifically Parcels "A" and "B" of the "Bruce Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 135, Page 11 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida (Case No. 4-SP-04); providing for conditions of approval. City Attorney Kraft read Item 10, Temporary Resolution 10404 by title. Commissioner Portner seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval. City Attorney Kraft explained the quasi-judicial procedures for Items 7, 8, 9, and 10, and Jay Huebner, Carnahan Proctor Cross waived his quasi-judicial rights on behalf of the developer. Community Development Director King gave a presentation on Items 7, 8, 9, and 10. Commissioner Portner said many town home communities are being built in Tamarac and they all look alike; he would like to see some ingenuity on behalf of the developers. Additionally, Commissioner Portner said he objected to the wall and would prefer a fountain or waterfall in its place, and asked the developer to consider making this change. Commissioner Roberts said she felt the wall was a safety barrier for the residents, and perhaps the developer could put some detail into the wall. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the perimeter, access and what, if any, feedback staff has gotten from residents of Vanguard Village. Community Development Director King responded and explained the 6' wall would have landscaping between the wall and the sidewalk on the University Drive side of the complex for privacy. Community Development Director King spoke of parking for the park and said there had been no comments from residents of Vanguard Village. Commissioner Roberts expressed her concerns about another passive park when there is a need for ball fields in Tamarac, as well as the parking arrangement for the park. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco added that she agreed with Commissioner Portner in that aesthetically all projects coming in to Tamarac are beginning to look alike, and suggested using mature landscaping rather than waiting two years for landscaping to grow enough to cover the wall. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested that another color be used to distinguish this project from other projects. Mr. Huebner spoke of economics and said he would work with staff to decide on a different color scheme for the project. Mayor Schreiber asked if the wall would also act as a sound barrier, and questioned the number of bedrooms denoted in the site plan. Commissioner Roberts confirmed that this was affordable housing and asked what the units would sell for. Mr. Huebner said affordable housing has gone up substantially and the units would start at approximately $200,000. Commissioner Roberts asked how many were two and how April 28, 2004 7 many were three bedroom units and Community Development Director King responded there would be 87 two bedroom units and 13 three bedroom units. Mayor Schreiber opened the public hearing. Ginger Abrahams, WPOA, questioned how this project would affect school overcrowding. Commissioner Roberts said the children in this community would go to Pinewood, and there is room for modules at that school. With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Schreiber closed the public hearing. On roll call for Item #7, Temporary Ordinance 2043, Revision #1, on second reading, Commissioner Roberts voted "no", Commissioner Portner "yes", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried. ORDINANCE NO. 0-2004-13 On roll call for Item #8, Temporary Resolution 10408, Mayor Schreiber voted "yes", Commissioner Roberts "no", Commissioner Portner "yes", and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-94 On roll call for Item #9, Temporary Resolution 10403, Commissioner Flansbaum- Talabisco voted "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", and Commissioner Roberts "no". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-95 On roll call for Item #10, Temporary Resolution 10404, Commissioner Portner voted "yes", Commissioner Roberts "no", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-96 11. AMENDING DEVELOPMENT ORDER — WESTPOINT DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI): (T02042) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second reading amending the Development Order for the Westpoint Development of Regional Impact (DRI) generally located in Section 7, Township 49 South, Range 41 East and approved by Ordinance No. 0-89-44 adopted December 21, 1989, and thereafter amended by Ordinance No. 0-94-20 adopted November 9, 1994, and thereafter amended by Resolution No. R-2000-206 adopted July 12, 2000, and thereafter amended by Ordinance No. 0-2000-33 adopted November 22, 2000 and amending the Development Order for the Westpoint DRI converting "Office/Hotel" to "Industrial/Office; Hotel; Automobile Dealership" on the Revised Development Plan; and amending the Revised Master Development Plan and converting "Industrial Use" square footage to "Automobile Dealership" square footage; reaffirming Ordinance No. 0-89-44 as amended by Ordinance No. 0-94-20 as amended by Resolution No. R-2000-206 as amended by Ordinance No. 0-2000-33 except as amended herein; providing for recordation in accordance with Section 380.06(15)(f), Florida Statutes (Case No. 7-MI- 04). APPROVED ON FIRST READING APRIL 14, 2004. City Attorney Kraft said Items 11 and 12 are companion items and can be heard together but voted on separately. City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Ordinance 2042, Revision #1, on second reading by title. Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval. April 28, 2004 8 12. DELEGATION REQUEST TO AMEND NOTE ON WESTPOINT SECTION 7 PLAT: (TR10410) Motion to approve Resolution approving a Delegation Request to amend the note on the "Westpoint Section 7 Plat" currently restricting the use to "Office" and "Industrial" to "Automotive Dealership" to accommodate the future development of the Sawgrass Infiniti Automotive Dealership on the subject property, specifically Tract "B" of the "Westpoint Section 7 Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 162, Page 23 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, located at 5801 Madison Avenue (Case No. 5-P-04). City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Resolution 10410 by title. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco seconded by Commissioner Portner moved approval. City Attorney Kraft explained the quasi-judicial procedures for Items 11 and 12 and Attorney Susan Motley waived her quasi-judicial rights on behalf of the applicant, Sawgrass Infiniti. Community Development Director King gave a presentation on items 11 and 12. Commissioner Roberts confirmed that the location for the 300 room hotel is still available and Community Development Director King said it is. Mayor Schreiber opened the public hearing for items 11 and 12, and with no one wishing to speak, closed the public hearing. On roll call for Item #11, Temporary Ordinance 2042, Commissioner Flansbaum- Talabisco voted "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", Commissioner Roberts "yes", and Commissioner Portner "yes". Motion carried. ORDINANCE NO. 0-2004-14 On roll call for Item #12, Temporary Resolution 10410, Commissioner Roberts voted "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-97 END OFQUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS 13. NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT: (TR10414) Naming the Gateway Park Project, which will be constructed at the southwest corner of McNab Road and Pine Island Road, Tamarac, " City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Resolution 10414 by title. Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval. There was discussion whether the three names presented to the City Commission by the Parks and Recreation Board were ranked in priority order, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said they were. Commissioner Roberts said she preferred "Freedom Park". Commissioner Portner seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved naming the Gateway Park Project "Tamarac Commons". City Clerk Swenson explained that the vote approving the motion would also approve the resolution as amended, with the insertion of the adopted name. NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT: (TR10414) Naming the Gateway Park Project, which will be constructed at the southwest corner of McNab Road and Pine Island Road, Tamarac, "Tamarac Commons". On roll call Commissioner April 28, 2004 9 Portner voted "yes", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", Commissioner Roberts "no", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2004-98 There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m. JOE SCHREIBER MAYOR MARION SWENS N, CIVIC CITY CLERKOF w. r�ap*��!.nrn w i � April 28, 2004 10 •r } Local Leaders on China Trade Mission By James Brooks First Vice President Charlie Lyons, Selectman, Arlington, Mass., and a group of 13 other local elected officials, plus principals from small and medium-sized companies participated in a trade mission to Shanghai and Beijing organized by the U.S.-China Exchange Association. The mission included a business matchmaking program, televised municipal officials forum, educational conference, and meetings with Chinese economic and political ministers. With a few exceptions, this was the first trip to China for the members of the delegation. For 6 days, the local officials and company representatives were immersed in the complexities and contradictions that are modern China. Visits to the major industrial development zones around Shanghai, including Hangzhou and Jinshan, helped put the country's rapid economic growth into perspective. The U.S. Consul General in Shanghai, Doug Spellman, was one of the first people to brief the delegation on what to expect in China. Mr. Spellman's insights, coupled with those of trip organizer, Dr. George Wang, a China native and now professor of finance at City University of New York, College at Staten Island, and the views of some of the U.S. business executives with experience in Asia, made for an incomparable program. Despite the rapid economic growth in China's development zones, the country remains a land of contrasts. During the visit to Jinshan, the juxtaposition of seeing a US$5 million robotic arm for painting auto parts and the concrete and tin housing of some local residents could not have been more startling. Nonetheless, the Chinese are as optimistic about their progress and future prospects as any of the U.S. officials are about their own community. The capacity of the Chinese labor force, not to mention its sheer size, has been one of the largest contributors to the country's development gains. The flip -side of course is that China's cheap labor remains a source of global consternation over job flight from rich industrial nations like the U.S. and Canada. China's wants and needs are not wholly compatible with U.S. wants and needs. Despite more open markets in China, American companies cannot operate in the country without restrictions. Currency imbalances between the countries, China's desire for advanced technologies that may have military applications, and the U.S. push to open Chinese financial services markets remain challenging issues. At the local level, there is more commonality but still, the perspectives remain different. During the taping of a televised municipal official's dialogue, one Chinese mayor suggested that his top policy priorities were creating jobs, attracting investment and generally advancing economic growth. The American's by contrast noted that their priorities were more geared to quality of life, such as service delivery and public safety. One of the corporate executives on the mission suggested that at this time in China's development it is useful to make comparisons to cities like Lowell, Massachusetts and j Dearborn, Michigan in the middle years of U.S. industrialization. Cities in China's industrial zones are company towns where employment, housing and recreation are created to support manufacturing output. The main difference of course is that in China much of the investment is from government rather than from private sources. On the final day of the visit in Beijing, the group met with the Vice Minister for trade and development. The delegation also was hosted for dinner at the compound of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Foreign Ministry office responsible for sister city relationships. The Friendship Association is sending a 29-member Chinese delegation of city officials to the upcoming NLC Congress of Cities in Nashville, Tennessee. U.S. elected officials on the delegation Charlie Lyons, Arlington, Mass. Patsy Jo Hilliard, East Point, Ga. Robert Young, Augusta, Ga. Randy Gray, Great Falls, Mont. Richard Kaplan, Lauderhill, Fla. Joseph Schreiber, Tamarac, Fla. James Ettleson, Lower Marion, Penn. Enrique Barrera, San Antonio, Tex. Janet Lockhart, Dublin, Calif. Maureen Kirk, Chico, Calif. R. Michael Kasperzak, Mountain View, Calif. David Baxter, Monte Sereno, Calif. Julia Miller, Sunnyvale, Calif. William Plasko, Norwood, Mass. Photo 1: 15` Vice President Charlie Lyons addresses the 2003 US -China Business Matchmaking conference in Shanghai Photo 2: Mayor David Baxter (center) at a signing ceremony for city -to -city agreements